Stream and Wetland Systems Protection PolicySan Francisco Bay Regional Water Quality Control Board

•• Background and NeedBackground and Need

•• Policy ScopePolicy Scope

•• Stakeholder OutreachStakeholder Outreach

TodayToday’’s Presentations Presentation

DegradationDegradation

Arroyo Las PositasArroyo Las PositasThompson CreekThompson Creek

Stream and Wetland System Functions

• Pollutant filtration

• Sediment transport and storage

• Streambank stabilization

• Fish and wildlife habitat

• Flood water storage

• Groundwater recharge

Berryessa CreekBerryessa Creek

Napa RiverNapa River

Proposed Basin Plan Amendment

• Beneficial Uses

• Water Quality Objectives

• Implementation Plan

Beneficial UseFlood Water Storage /

Flood Peak AttenuationWaterbodies that receive and store natural surface drainage and reduce the flood peak downstream

Napa RiverNapa River

Beneficial UseWater Quality Enhancement

Waterbodies that support natural enhancement of water quality including:

• filtration of water pollutants • temperature moderation• streambank stabilization • erosion control•maintenance of channel integrity • sediment storage

Sonoma CreekSonoma Creek Suisun CreekSuisun Creek

Water Quality ObjectivesWater Quality Objectives

• Watershed Hydrology

• Stream Channel Equilibrium

• Floodplain Connectivity

• Riparian Vegetation

• Wetland Structure

• Watershed Hydrology

• Stream Channel Equilibrium

• Floodplain Connectivity

• Riparian Vegetation

• Wetland StructureGuadalupe CreekGuadalupe Creek

ImplementationImplementationPolicy ApplicationPolicy Application

Improve regulation of the following activities:Improve regulation of the following activities:

• In-channel activities• Wetland disturbance• Riparian area disturbance• Floodplain management• Stormwater and runoff management

• In-channel activities• Wetland disturbance• Riparian area disturbance• Floodplain management• Stormwater and runoff management

Link to existing permits and programs:Link to existing permits and programs:

• WDRs• 401 certifications• THP reviews• CEQA reviews

• WDRs• 401 certifications• THP reviews• CEQA reviews

• WDR waivers• NPDES permits• TMDL implementation• Grants

• WDR waivers• NPDES permits• TMDL implementation• Grants

WETLANDS

RIPARIAN AREASSTREAMS

ImplementationImplementation• Provide guidance (definitions and identification

methodologies) on policy application• Provide guidance (definitions and identification

methodologies) on policy application

Shasta RiverShasta River

• Provide flexibility for different watershed conditions

• Link to permit conditions to assess attainment of water quality standards

• Provide flexibility for different watershed conditions

• Link to permit conditions to assess attainment of water quality standards

ImplementationImplementationPerformance Criteria and Permit ConditionsPerformance Criteria and Permit Conditions

Canopy CoverCanopy Cover Bank StabilizationBank Stabilization

• Support watershed planning

• Encourages local governments to adopt sustainable development principles

• Give higher grant priority to local governments that adopt:

• Ahwahnee Water Principles

• Low-impact development and smart growth policies

• Stream protection ordinances with riparian buffers

• Support watershed planning

• Encourages local governments to adopt sustainable development principles

• Give higher grant priority to local governments that adopt:

• Ahwahnee Water Principles

• Low-impact development and smart growth policies

• Stream protection ordinances with riparian buffers

ImplementationImplementationNon-RegulatoryNon-Regulatory

• Public workshops and comments• Public workshops and comments

Stakeholder OutreachStakeholder Outreach

Next Steps• Complete Draft Policy Language and Staff Report

(Summer ’07 to Fall ‘07)

• Public Review and Comment Period (Fall ’07 to Winter ‘07)

• Water Board Testimony and Adoption Hearings (Spring ’08 to Finish)